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The
personal and social development of students is becoming more and more important in our schools. In this section,
you'll find resources to help you work with both the general student population, and with students that need individualized
attention.

"At-Risk"
Resources
This section is devoted to student's whose environment puts them at greater "Risk" of school and societal
failure.

Character
Education
This part of the Parents Community Issues in Education section takes a look at character education in
our schools.

Special Education Community
Here you'll find a variety of resources related to working with special needs students, including information
on specific disabilities, the IEP process, legislation, assessment and more.

Assessment
This section of the Counseling Community contains information and resources on a variety of assessments
of use to counselors including a special section on mental health.

Articles

Gay-Straight
Alliances: Ground Zero for School Tolerance
No other extracurricular activity has sparked the controversy and legal challenge the formation of Gay-Straight
Alliance clubs has. What upsets communities so? Why are students, their supporters, and those who oppose
them willing to take this issue to court? Education World writer Leslie Bulion examines the issues with
club advisers, opponents, and experts. INCLUDED: Tips for promoting tolerance in schools.

Research Shows Brains of Dyslexics Change
as Reading Improves
Is dyslexia brain-based or behavioral? Researchers at the University of Washington are closing in on the
answer. Education World news editor Diane Weaver Dunne writes about new dyslexia research. As dyslexic
children improve their reading through an effective phonics program, their brain functioning also changes.

How Can Teachers Help Shy Students?
Shyness expert Lynne Kelly recently talked to Education World about how classroom teachers can better
understand and help shy students. Included: Eight tips for helping students overcome shyness.

When the Curtain Goes Up, All Kids Shine!
This year, fourth graders at Keeney Street School in Manchester, Connecticut, went back to the future!
In their end-of-year play, they became well-known singers of the 50s who had had been cryogenically frozen
for decades.

Solve a Problem; Build
a Boat
*** Is "try, try, try again" the answer? Sherrell Bailey, a teacher at Sumter County Middle School in
Americus, Georgia, submitted this week's lesson, which is about problem solving and conflict resolution.

Restraining Orders: How Can Schools
Respond?
A 16-year-old Boston girl has a restraining order against two students who posted threats to her on the
school's e-mail system. One of the offending students was expelled; the other was suspended and will soon
return to school. How would your school respond to this situation?

AN EDUCATION WORLD E-INTERVIEW WITH CAROL DWECK: How Can Teachers
Develop Students' Motivation --- and Success?
What can teachers do to help develop students who will face challenges rather than be overwhelmed by them?
Why is it that many students seem to fall apart when they get to junior high or middle school? Can the
"gifted" label do more harm than good? Do early lessons set girls up for failure? Is self-esteem something
that teachers can or should "give" to students? Those are some of the questions Carol Dweck, professor
of psychology at Columbia University, answers this week for Education World. Some of her responses will
surprise you!

The Giraffe Project: Encouraging Kids to 'Stick Their Necks Out' for
Others
This organization, based in Langley, Washington, shares news of individuals who are making a difference
in their communities. These heroes, called "giraffes," stick their necks out to help other people. With
the guidance of the program, children are learning that they can not only find giraffes in their own communities,
they can become giraffes themselves! Included: Comments from teachers and students who've been inspired
by the Giraffe Project to help others.

Heroes Online: Looking to the Web for Those We Can Look Up To
Introduce your students to heroes online with Web sites devoted to people we can admire. Some heroes have
received national acclaim; others work tirelessly and thanklessly for issues close to home and our hearts.
You can use the resources of the Web to encourage this type of dedication in your students and get them
thinking about the people they look up to! Included: Ten Web sites to work into your lessons!

Ten Activities to Improve Students' Self-Concepts
A student enters school as a unique individual, molded by genes, environment, and a certain spark within
himself. An increased awareness of how special that unique spark really makes him helps that student retain
that quality when the pressure is on to follow the pack. Included: Ten simple projects to help preserve
individuality and promote self-esteem!

Be Sure to Catch "Running Girl"!
Keeping a diary helps an 11-year-old track hopeful overcome fears and make friends in a new book from
Harcourt Brace: Running Girl: The Diary of Ebonee Rose.

Cosby's "Little Bill" Series Is Engaging -- and Educational!
Entertainer Bill Cosby introduces the first three books in his "Little Bill" series. Kids will learn that
they can solve any problem -- from boredom to bullies -- if they set their minds to it! The "Little Bill"
series is January's "Oprah's Book Club" selection!

Schoolpsy.com
Schoolpsy.com is a Web portal for school psychologists and other mental health professionals who work
with children.

American Psychological Association
This site provides resources and information for educators, parents, teens, and others on such topics
as health care, depression, parenting, and career planning. (Grades: 9-12,
Parents, Professionals)

Can Do
Can Do is an "ability-focused Web site dedicated to helping all people develop a 'can-do' attitude and
approach to life... no matter what the obstacles."

Time2Act.org
Time2Act.org "is intended to encourage discussion among professionals in education, the justice system,
parents, students and the community to stimulate new approaches to issues nationwide and initiate reform."

Born to Explore: The Other Side of ADD
This site offers an alternative perspective on ADD and ADHD with some good information on creativity,
assessment, and other factors not usually taken into consideration.

Teen Central.Net
This is an excellent site for teens by teens. It was developed by experts in teen counseling and psychology
and offers a safe, anonymous space for teens to work out their problems.

Schwab Foundation for Learning
Helping to improve the lives of children who learn differently from others is the goal of this site. The
non-profit organization offers a wealth of information and resources for parents and educators alike.

APA Journals
This database of journal published by the American Psychological Association can be browsed alphabetically
or by topic.

Professional Resources
An excellent listing of resources from Mental Health Net that covers a wide variety of topics.

Mental Health Net
A large body of information and links to outside resources useful to everyone. The site includes consumer
and professional resources, message boards, and a useful fifteen chapter online book entitled Psychological
Self-Help.

Publications Listings
This list of publications has been developed by the Public Interest Directorate of the American Psychological
Association and are distributed free of charge. Topics covered include: AIDS; children, youth, and families;
disability; ethnic minorities; violence; urban initiatives, and public interest policy advocacy.